The nurse is assessing a client suspected of having renal calculi who reports severe, wavelike pain that radiates down the thigh and to the genital area and a sensation of needing to void, but only small amounts are voided.
The nurse should explain which of the following information to the client?
"Stones that are lodged in the ureter cause symptoms like you are describing.”.
"You will most likely pass the stones in the next few hours.”.
"Your symptoms are consistent with stones that are lodged in the bladder.”.
"The stones will need to be removed through a procedure.”. .
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Ureteral stones cause severe, colicky pain that radiates to the groin or genital area. The ureter’s narrow anatomy can trap stones, causing obstruction. This obstruction triggers increased intrarenal pressure and ureteral spasms, producing waves of intense pain. Hematuria and urinary urgency with minimal voiding are common due to mucosal irritation or obstruction.
Choice B rationale
While small stones may pass spontaneously, predicting exact timelines is speculative. Passage depends on factors like stone size, location, and hydration. For stones larger than 5 mm, spontaneous passage rates decrease, often requiring intervention. Therefore, giving definite timeframes may misinform patients and delay appropriate care.
Choice C rationale
Bladder stones typically cause suprapubic pain, urinary frequency, and hematuria rather than radiating pain to the thigh or genital area. Bladder irritation may lead to dysuria or cloudy urine, but the described symptoms are more consistent with ureteral obstruction rather than bladder involvement.
Choice D rationale
Some stones do require procedural removal, especially those causing recurrent infections or obstruction. However, initial management includes conservative measures like hydration and pain control, reserving procedures for unresolvable cases. Early procedural focus may unnecessarily alarm the client or overlook noninvasive options.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Edema of the lower extremities suggests right-sided heart failure, not left ventricular failure. Fluid backs up into systemic circulation in right-sided failure, while left-sided failure primarily affects pulmonary circulation. Differentiating between these conditions is essential for targeted management.
Choice B rationale
Pulmonary crackles result from fluid accumulation in alveoli due to left ventricular failure, where decreased cardiac output causes blood to back up into pulmonary vasculature. Crackles indicate pulmonary congestion or edema. Prompt identification aids in early intervention. Normal respiratory assessment excludes crackles.
Choice C rationale
Ascites is more indicative of chronic right-sided heart failure or liver disease, not acute left ventricular failure. Ascites results from systemic venous congestion, which is less common in isolated left-sided heart failure. Differentiating causes helps refine diagnostic focus.
Choice D rationale
Jugular vein distention is associated with elevated central venous pressure, typical of right-sided heart failure or combined heart failure. It does not specifically characterize left ventricular failure. Accurate recognition of findings ensures precise diagnosis and management.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Fatigue can occur in thrombocytopenia due to associated bleeding or anemia, but it is not a hallmark symptom specific to low platelet counts alone. Fatigue relates more to overall systemic effects or concurrent conditions rather than isolated thrombocytopenia. Hemorrhage and petechiae, however, are more directly correlated with reduced platelets in circulation, which compromise clotting and vascular integrity.
Choice B rationale
Hemorrhage is a major concern in thrombocytopenia due to severely reduced platelet counts. Normal platelet levels range from 150,000–450,000/mm³, and values of 18,000/mm³ indicate critical impairment in clot formation, increasing the risk of spontaneous bleeding. Hemorrhagic events in vital organs pose life-threatening consequences, making monitoring and interventions essential to minimize complications associated with uncontrolled bleeding.
Choice C rationale
Petechiae are pinpoint hemorrhages visible on the skin or mucosal surfaces, indicating capillary bleeding due to insufficient platelet-mediated clotting. Normal platelet levels maintain vascular integrity by enabling clot formation, which prevents such microvascular bleeding. Platelet counts as low as 18,000/mm³ lead to abnormal hemorrhagic manifestations, making petechiae a frequent and observable sign in severe thrombocytopenia cases.
Choice D rationale
Headache can occur with thrombocytopenia if intracranial hemorrhage develops, but it is not an expected symptom in all cases. While bleeding risks elevate overall concerns, headache depends on specific organ involvement. Petechiae and systemic hemorrhage are primary symptoms associated with low platelet levels. Headaches without evidence of bleeding do not distinctly correlate with thrombocytopenia diagnosis.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.